Well, Final Fantasy XIII-2 turned out to be unexpectedly good...

I hated Final Fantasy XIII. I flat out hated it, and along with Dragon Age 2, I consider it to be one of the worst games I have ever had the misfortune to play. Opinons can be debated to no end back and forth, but this thread isn't about that. I hated Final Fantasy XIII, and that's that.

No, what I really wanted to talk about in this thread was Final Fantasy XIII-2.

I went into this game with heavy pre conceived notions. The lowest and worst selling mainline FInal Fantasy game ever, the sequel to one of the most disappointing (and linear and restrictive) games I have ever played, negative press about its incredibly lame ending and the planned DLC... honestly, I wouldn't have even played this game had certain circumstances not forced it upon me. But I did, and I'm glad I did.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is great. It takes everything that was good about Final Fantasy XIII, builds upon that potential and fully realizes it, fixes most of what was wrong with that divisive game, and produces a game that, if my intial impressions are anything to go by, might very well turn out to be the best Final Fantasy game since IX.

Seriously, I know there's been a lot of negative press around the game. Ignore it. The game is great, and it's a step (albeit an uneasy step) forward for the JRPG genre, the Final Fantasy franchise, and Square Enix as a whole.

THE PROS:

• The battle system: Final Fantasy XIII's battle system was always a tale of unrealized potential, and it finally comes into its own with Final Fantasy XIII-2. Without having to take about ten hours to set the system up, Square Enix instead work on expanding the core concept even further with XIII-2. Fast paced and strategic, Final fantasy XIII-2's battle system is one of the most novel advancements made to JRPGs in a very long time.
• The soundtrack: Final Fantasy games have always had some great music, and XIII-2 is no exception. The music always fits the mood, and many a time, it augments and enhances it.
• Freedom, at last: Remember the absolute linerity of Final Fantasy XIII? Remember how it forced you through one corridor after another? Remember the game's sorry excuse for an RPG structure, one that didn't even leave room for towns? All of that is gone. While it still doesn't seem to be as free form as some of the earlier games in the series, so far at least, it seems like Square Enix have addressed one of the most major complaints about XIII.

THE CONS

• The story makes no sense: Final Fantasy XIII's story was cliche and archetypical, but it qas beautiful, abstract and mysterious. XIII-2's story on the other hand, is an absolute mess. I have no idea what's going on. And this is in spite of me going through the game's 'primer guide' that brushes you up on XIII's story to make sure you aren't confused. I still am. I'm lost. What the hell, Square Enix?
• The characterization is cringe inducing: You thought Vanille and Hope were bad? Wait till you get to suffer Noel and Serah. They're like caricatures of the bro gamer's impression of typical JRPG characters, they're so bad.
• Voice acting: Don't even get me started. Please.

But with all of that said and sone, seriously, it is important that you played this game. It represents a rare case of a game developer listening to their fanbase's complaints and then actually addressing those complaints. We need to show them that this is the kind of game we want, not another Final Fantasy XIII.

The game is great, and it might turn out to be the best Final Fantasy game I have played this side of IX.

XIII was great, why you hating on it?crippled_ram

...becasue he didn't like it, maybe?
Not a hard concept if I'm totally honest. :?

Pretty high praise. Got it on Wednesday, but haven't even opened it yet. Looking forward to the game though, as soon as I have some solid time to put into it.

XIII is fantastic and I'll defend it any day. But since you're not here to argue that point.... :P

Anyway, I'm glad you're enjoying XIII-2. I'll look into it once my Zelda and older FF marathon comes to an end.

XIII and Dragon Age II were good, just failed so miserably compared to the hype. Worst games you've played? Lol you have been lucky. Spartan070

wolfenstein and doom didnt have arrows why do u think they're called corridor shooters? because u roamed the corridors finding keys to progress through the level by the way the game didnt tell u where the key is.WinningEnds00

wolfenstein and doom didnt have arrows why do u think they're called corridor shooters? because u roamed the corridors finding keys to progress through the level by the way the game didnt tell u where the key is.WinningEnds00

You're imitating the wrong person in the wrong thread dude.:lol:

Meh

ff13-2 very well COULD be good in some ways, i actually find that easy to believe, but really what i totally and completely expect and what i find even easier to believe is that my and your definitions of good are not very alike.

FF13 was great...... you must be playing it on Xboxhippiesanta

I haven't touched a Final Fantasy game in over 10 years, and I aim to keep it that way. I'm trying to forget the horror that was every Final Fantasy after 8.

I haven't touched a Final Fantasy game in over 10 years, and I aim to keep it that way. I'm trying to forget the horror that was every Final Fantasy after 8.

WiiCubeM1

You do know they're all completely different games, right?

XIII was great, why you hating on it?crippled_ram

It is one of the worst games i have played, by far, more generic and forgettable experience ever probably

FF13-2 looks exactly the same, the problem of FF13-2 was not the combat, it was the overall feeling of nothingness i got, which is same in FF13-2

The game lacks soul and interest, those wont come along by simply changing the combat or providing better freedom

[QUOTE="crippled_ram"]XIII was great, why you hating on it?loosingENDS

It is one of the worst games i have played, by far, more generic and forgettable experience ever probably

FF13-2 looks exactly the same, the problem of FF13-2 was not the combat, it was the overall feeling of nothingness i got, which is same in FF13-2

The game lacks soul and interest, those wont come along by simply changing the combat or providing better freedom

[QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]

I haven't touched a Final Fantasy game in over 10 years, and I aim to keep it that way. I'm trying to forget the horror that was every Final Fantasy after 8.

NeonNinja

You do know they're all completely different games, right?

Yeah, and from what I understand, 12 is the only good one. Plus, I stopped playing JRPG's a while ago.

[QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

[QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]

I haven't touched a Final Fantasy game in over 10 years, and I aim to keep it that way. I'm trying to forget the horror that was every Final Fantasy after 8.

WiiCubeM1

You do know they're all completely different games, right?

Yeah, and from what I understand, 12 is the only good one. Plus, I stopped playing JRPG's a while ago.

FF13 was great...... you must be playing it on Xboxhippiesanta

Dammit, maybe that was why I struggled to like that game.

Clearly they couldn't fit likeable characters, good pacing, a coherent story, interesting battles or branching paths on anything smaller than a Blu-ray disk.

[QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

[QUOTE="WiiCubeM1"]

I haven't touched a Final Fantasy game in over 10 years, and I aim to keep it that way. I'm trying to forget the horror that was every Final Fantasy after 8.

WiiCubeM1

You do know they're all completely different games, right?

Yeah, and from what I understand, 12 is the only good one. Plus, I stopped playing JRPG's a while ago.

I thought the general consensus was that VI was the best one. XII looks awesome too though!

Man JRPG fans must have real low standards these days. Can't really blame em'.

Man JRPG fans must have real low standards these days. Can't really blame em'.

Jankarcop

I haven't played that much of FFXIII, but it didn't make me want to kill everyone working at Square Enix, and then myself.

Dragon Age II did. Just replace Square Enix with BioWare.

And seriously, Chaz, sometimes you make no f*cking sense.

"I hate this goddamn game. It's absolutely terrible. Whelp, time to go out and get the sequel."

[QUOTE="Jankarcop"]

Man JRPG fans must have real low standards these days. Can't really blame em'.

charizard1605

I haven't played that much of FFXIII, but it didn't make me want to kill everyone working at Square Enix, and then myself.

Dragon Age II did. Just replace Square Enix with BioWare.

And seriously, Chaz, sometimes you make no f*cking sense.

"I hate this goddamn game. It's absolutely terrible. Whelp, time to go out and get the sequel."

DarkLink77

[QUOTE="DarkLink77"]

I haven't played that much of FFXIII, but it didn't make me want to kill everyone working at Square Enix, and then myself.

Dragon Age II did. Just replace Square Enix with BioWare.

And seriously, Chaz, sometimes you make no f*cking sense.

"I hate this goddamn game. It's absolutely terrible. Whelp, time to go out and get the sequel."

charizard1605

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="DarkLink77"]

I haven't played that much of FFXIII, but it didn't make me want to kill everyone working at Square Enix, and then myself.

Dragon Age II did. Just replace Square Enix with BioWare.

And seriously, Chaz, sometimes you make no f*cking sense.

"I hate this goddamn game. It's absolutely terrible. Whelp, time to go out and get the sequel."

DarkLink77

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="Jankarcop"]

Man JRPG fans must have real low standards these days. Can't really blame em'.

DarkLink77

[QUOTE="DarkLink77"][QUOTE="charizard1605"] Hey, we just got masterpieces like Xenoblade and Lost Odyssey this last console generation, and this is without considering the handhelds, where JRPGs have been thriving. What are you on about?charizard1605

Well, that's because it's a good game. But it had a few kinks. Anyway, important thing to note is that the best console JRPG this gen is Tales of Vesperia. Straight up.

I have 27 hours into XIII-2 and i cant stop playing it! thats how great the game is, this is by far beats XIII out of the water making it THE best Final Fantasy this generation and i really mean it when i say this is truly a great game and one of the best JRPG this gen, everyone must try it. i will soon beat the story and will start with trophy hunting

• Wonderful Story
• Amazing characters
• Geat acting
• Makes you exactly feel how the characters feel
• Much imrproved battle system
• Phenomenal soundtrack
• Tons of side quests
• Worlds look great
• Having to go back to every city/place/towne is just epic
• Easy trophies
• Emotional story to the point in making you cry
• Lots of bonuses for your PS3

This is THE best JRPG this gen and the best FF. congrats to SE for making yet another wonderful Final Fantasy game

Thank you

Well, that's because it's a good game. But it had a few kinks. Anyway, important thing to note is that the best console JRPG this gen is Tales of Vesperia. Straight up.

NeonNinja

This is THE best JRPG this gen and the best FF.

finalstar2007

Goddammit, finalstar, I was gonna go along with it but then you had to go and say some stupid sh!t like that.

*smh*

[QUOTE="DarkLink77"][QUOTE="charizard1605"] Seriously, they did! I work for a gaming website now, and I manage their PR. They sent me my review copy, which is the only reason I've been playing it. The review itself is due to go online by Tuesday.charizard1605

Oh so you and Khoofia know each other in reali life eh?

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

This is THE best JRPG this gen and the best FF.

DarkLink77

Goddammit, finalstar, I was gonna go along with it but then you had to go and say some stupid sh!t like that.

*smh*

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="DarkLink77"] :| The f*ck did you manage that? And what website?whiskeystrike

Oh so you and Khoofia know each other in reali life eh?

This is THE best JRPG this gen and the best FF. congrats to SE for making yet another wonderful Final Fantasy game

Thank you

finalstar2007

Best Final Fantasy this gen or best Final Fantasy? I doubt it can really top the greats of previous gens but eh, to each his own.

[QUOTE="DarkLink77"] I don't know. I think I just stopped playing and just didn't pick it up again. It was nothing personal against the game. Oh, yes. Day 1.charizard1605

On the other hand, Xenoblade is an excuse to dust off the Wii after finishing the best/worst Zelda game ever, amirite?

[QUOTE="finalstar2007"]

This is THE best JRPG this gen and the best FF. congrats to SE for making yet another wonderful Final Fantasy game

Thank you

whiskeystrike

Best Final Fantasy this gen or best Final Fantasy? I doubt it can really top the greats of previous gens but eh, to each his own.

Gameplay wise I personally think its among the best FF games all time story wise its in the bottom along with FFX-2.

[QUOTE="whiskeystrike"]

[QUOTE="charizard1605"] GamingBolt.com. I dunno if you've heard of that? They're expanding into the US, and they wanted a PR manager who'd build and sustain relationships with game companies and review hardware and software for them. So far, I've been in touch with over forty nine game companies. It's pretty neat :D Anyway, I've been playing through this game at an insane pace. At first, I was only doing it because I had to, but now, I'm just playing it because I want to. It brings that old excitement that playing a JRPG would bring in me long ago, you know? I mean, I stopped playing Wind Waker so I could focus on this game.charizard1605

Oh so you and Khoofia know each other in reali life eh?

Congrats on the website and all. I read the staff info and this and that, hopefully it does pick up for you guys.

I'll bookmark it for now and see what you guys got for a while.

[QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

Well, that's because it's a good game. But it had a few kinks. Anyway, important thing to note is that the best console JRPG this gen is Tales of Vesperia. Straight up.

charizard1605

Of course.

I'm much more interested in The Last Story. I think Sakaguchi is the man, but hey, if his game doesn't release in the US, at least I have Xenoblade to try out. Xenoblade still doesn't look that interesting as a JRPG to me. The Last Story does. But, with all the praise that Xenoblade received I'm willing to try it out.

Knowing your affinity for handhelds, you'd probably dig Revelations more. Also, it's Resident Evil.

On the other hand, Xenoblade is an excuse to dust off the Wii after finishing the best/worst Zelda game ever, amirite?

DarkLink77

On the other hand, Xenoblade would be longer, and I dig JRPGs...

Hmm, decisions, decisions...

FAKE EDIT: Oh, and my Wii gets constant use as my Gamecube. Actually, I think it's gotten more use as my Gamecube than it has as my Wii.
Actually, I think I've played more Gamecube games on my Wii than I ever did on my Gamecube.

[QUOTE="charizard1605"][QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

Well, that's because it's a good game. But it had a few kinks. Anyway, important thing to note is that the best console JRPG this gen is Tales of Vesperia. Straight up.

NeonNinja

Of course.

I'm much more interested in The Last Story. I think Sakaguchi is the man, but hey, if his game doesn't release in the US, at least I have Xenoblade to try out. Xenoblade still doesn't look that interesting as a JRPG to me. The Last Story does. But, with all the praise that Xenoblade received I'm willing to try it out.

yea 13-2 is awesome